iPhone SDK 1.0 to go live today; App Store to open in July (Updated)

During the WWDC Keynote, Scott Forstall and a host of developers demoed how …

At WWDC today, Apple's Senior Vice President of iPhone Software Scott Forstall demonstrated just how easy it is to use the iPhone SDK. Within a matter of minutes, a complete user interface for a simple location-based address book lookup app was assembled using Interface Builder and linked to controller code in Xcode. Then, Forstall demoed building, running and debugging using a tethered iPhone.

A line of developers were then trotted out to demo apps they have waiting in the wings. Several games were demoed, including the previously seenSuper Monkey Ball from Sega, and well as iPhone versions of Enigmo and Cro-Mag Rally from Pangea. All three are set to sell for $9.99 via the App Store. Mark Terry, a lone developer, demoed what seemed to be the crowd favorite: Band. This app contains a collection of virtual instruments, including drums, guitar, bass, and piano. Songs can be recorded, dubbed, and mixed using the instruments. On a slightly more serious side, though, a couple medical applications where shown, including a human anatomy "mapping" application as well as medical imaging visualization app. There were also demos from eBay, Loopt, Typepad, Associated Press, Major League Baseball, and Digital Legends Entertainment.

Despite the overwhelming praise Apple has received for the SDK, there was one common complaint from many developers. Since the iPhone SDK doesn't allow background processes, developers have been asking Apple for a way to notify users for updates, such as when instant messaging clients have replies waiting. Forstall said that a unified push notification service will be available to all developers via an update slated for September. When a connection to an iPhone app dies, a server can push updates through Apple's servers, which will maintain a persistent IP connection. Developers will be able to push badges, alert sounds, messages, etc., all over WiFi or cell network. This relay system is said to "scale easily" since it only relies on a single connection from the iPhone to Apple's server.

Steve Jobs then came on stage to reiterate that the App Store will be the place to acquire all the apps that should be available soon. Applications can be downloaded via WiFi or, for apps under 10MB, via cell networks. The App Store will also notify users when updates are available automatically. In addition, apps will be available to sync via iTunes, but not just for App Store purchases. Enterprises creating custom apps or developers sharing apps with small groups will be able to authorize iPhones to sync apps as well.

While the iPhone Dev Center is currently down—"We are currently updating the iPhone Dev Center, and you should be able to access it shortly."—the non-beta SDK should be available later today. The App Store is set to open for business in early July when the iPhone 2.0 firmware becomes available, and should be available in as many as 70 countries. Pent-up demand for the coming applications may tax the App Store's servers, but at least you won't have to stand in a long line to get your copy.

UPDATE: The iPhone Dev Center is now up, but the latest version of the iPhone SDK is beta 7.